Frank Lampard is behind Chelsea's move to buy outright Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

The Blues are close to signing loan flop Kovacic for £45million in a permanent deal.

Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claims Lampard will make the Real Madrid midfielder his first signing at Stamford Bridge when he takes charge this week.

That's despite Kovacic failing to impress under predecessor Maurizio Sarri, scoring zero goals and registering just two assists in 51 appearances.

It's said that Chelsea will pay £45m for Kovacic, with Real happy to sell after poaching Eden Hazard from West London.